SAW DUST

Choosing substrate for growing mushrooms is one of the most crucial aspects in mushroom growing. Wood is considered nitrogen poor, so grain rich in nitrogen is combined with the sawdust to provide food for newly forming mushrooms.  What is sawdust? Sawdust: sawdust can be used as a basal substrate with success, not all sawdust can be used to grow mushrooms, softwoods can be used but its best to use sawdust from hardwoods, its important to talk to whoever will be gathering the sawdust for you at the factory or sawmill to collect the right sawdust. Sawdust from pine trees is not good as it’s not easily degradable by mushroom. Experimentation is the best as far as using sawdust is concerned as many trees can be used eucalyptus is very good for growing mushrooms. Watch the size of the sawdust particles if they are to fine the block will be anaerobic. Its important to add gypsum for good aeration One of the most important things to note is that sawdust alone can not give rise to commercially viable crops, it is recommended that some nutritional supplements be added, supplements as wheat bran, cotton cake, soya cake and many other supplements. How to use sawdust in mushroom cultivation: It is important to adjust the carbon nitrogen ratio properly so one should know the nitrogen content of the supplements added. Simply cut the top off, keep moist and watch your mushroom grow. We recommend you spray your mushroom with water a couple of times a day. They are regareded very resilient and will grow almost anywhere. Happy mushroom growing!